#fj18

Chapter 18

JUPITER

Today is the day we return back home. It looked like I only came here to sleep and relax while other students worked hard for the requirements we need when we get back to reality. What can I do? I was injured.

They said they will give me and Jane an alternative project when we arrive home. I packed my things and checked if anything was missing before leaving the room. Jane and I transferred earlier this morning to the hotel where the other students are staying. It was hot today so I chose a simple white shirt and jeans. Loki and Jayden, my supposed to be roommates already went to the bus. I locked the door and went to the elevator.

There I saw Jane; she’s already with her friends. It’s nice to see her alive and kicking like nothing happened. I remembered our conversations yesterday, ever since then my heart beats louder and louder every time she’s near. She noticed me standing in the corner.

“Hey!” she said. “How are you feeling now?” I asked.

“Well, I’m completely healed up.” It looks like she’s full of energy now, good for her. She came closer and told me “Thanks for yesterday.” I didn’t have the time to react; she quickly returned to her group of friends and entered the elevator.

Ah, yesterday. It was a good day despite being holed up in the hospital. I hope today is a good one too.

We went down to the hotel lobby and I immediately boarded the bus, I was one of the last ones to arrive, I saw Jayden and Loki ahead but they were seated together and on their other side,  Xavier and Drexel. Behind them, Andrew and the girl he’s currently seating are cuddling so much I wanted to vomit. Where the hell did they want me to sit..

I saw Jane’s friends up ahead and wondered where she was until I saw her by the window, opposite Andrew and his chick. She was alone and there was a vacant seat next to her. I suddenly realized the intention of our friends. Well, okay, challenge accepted guys, thank you.

I approached and seeing as she was napping, I slid into my seat noiselessly. My friends were giving me that look and I was self-conscious. Can’t you all just stop, you made me do this! Well, I wanted this too. Everything would have been perfect if they would just. stop. staring!

Before long the bus started to move and we were on our way home. The sky was darkening, looked like rain is approaching. It was cold in the bus but it was peaceful. I don’t know if it was because she was beside me or it’s just the weather. The bus stopped and I wondered why and where we were. Turns out the other side of the road was closed due to some repair while the other open one was bumpy and the vehicles were moving slowly. Finally, we started to move again. Dang, it’s bumpy. Jane seemed to still be asleep and I was wondering if she felt nothing when her head lolled into one side and landed on my shoulders. Oh God, what a feeling. I was feeling a mix of surreal joy and nervousness. I did not want the road to end so she could lie on my shoulders forever; I wanted to stop the time. The exquisite feeling of her on my shoulders is too much and I thought what if I had her in my arms?

The bumpy road went on for about two short miles and I was slightly disappointed that it had to end. I thought Jane would move and not lie on my shoulders anymore. But alas today is my lucky day! She remained on my shoulders, sleeping soundly, her drool slowly slipping off and on to my jacket. I started to relax.

After a while, I detected a movement and saw that Jane was awake. She immediately sat up with an astonished look on her face. I wanted to laugh but felt like it would embarrass her further. When she clearly saw me she visibly relaxed.

“Oh it’s you. I was shocked when I felt like I was leaning on someone; I thought it was someone I didn’t know.”

“Do you think I’d let anyone sit beside you to catch your waterfall-like drools?”

Her gasp was clearly audible and she looked like she saw a ghost. Her slim lips formed and perfect O and she whispered, “Did I really-“

“Hahahaha! It’s okay! I think I saved a whole glass of it. No worries, really.”

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to, I didn’t know-“

“Jane, it’s okay. I think my jacket liked your drool more than your snore.”

“Jupiter Johnson, I do not snore!”

“Oh maybe it was the bus’ engine then, sure sounded like one.”

“Ugh, you are such a tease!”

“Oh no, I’m just merely stating facts, Jane. As they say truth hurts. Though the loudness of your snore hurt my ears more I think.”

She turned away from me and sulked on her seat. Oh, so she’s not talking to me. What a gullible one. I was chuckling subtly and she was ignoring me. How cute.

“Hey, Jane, c’mon, I was kidding.”

Her only response was to cover herself with her own jacket and a “hmmp” which was so cute I wanted to record it.

“Really, I’m sorry. C’mon, talk to me. I’m getting bored here.”

“So what?”

“Oh yes the maiden is talking! The beautiful maiden with eyes so bright she makes the whole world shine, with a laugh so shrill it resembled the birds, with-“

She was laughing at me before I realized my saliva was raining on her because I was talking too fast. Oh, hell.

“Well, Mr. Johnson, I think it rained on the inside too, don’t you think?” She continued to laugh and I was red wit embarrassment, though you could not see it with my skin color. “Karma’s just around the corner, eh?”

“Okay, Jane. I’m really sroyy. Don’t worry. You looked cute.”

“Whatever, planet.”

“On another note, honestly, how are you feeling?”

“A bit groggy but I’m fine. I’m excited to go home, though. I want to lie down and rest.”

“Well you can rest in my shoulders.” I smiled. I hope I didn’t sound too hopeful.

“Thank you for your generosity but I think I’ll decline. I know you’ll tease me when I wake up.” She replied grumpily. She looks even more beautiful when she’s pretending to be mad.

“Well, I don’t know about you but I’m going to take a nap. It’s still a long journey.” And with that, I fell asleep.

I was woken by a movement to my left. Jane was again slumbering on my shoulders. We were near the school now since I see some familiar establishments. It seemed a little too early, maybe the traffic was light.

As peaceful as her sleep may be, and as cute as she looks while asleep, I decided to wake her up when the bus parked and the other students started to dislodge. I wanted to give her the chance to say goodbye to her friends or maybe go with them, even if secretly, I wanted to drive her home.

“Jane, baby, wake up.” I crooned.

She muttered something and slowly, groggily sat up. “What did you call me? I still want to sleep.”

So far I’ve seen cute Jane, angry Jane, teasing Jane and quiet Jane today but sleepy Jane may be one of my favorites. “We’re in school now.” I said smiling, trying to keep my fluttering heart calm. She is just so beautiful.

“What?! Has it been long?!” Well, surprised Jane is on top of the list too.

“No, we actually arrived a little early. Your friends just went off the bus. Maybe you can catch them?”

“Oh, um, I’d rather not.” Does this mean we can go home together?

“Why?” I asked, though my voice probably betrayed how elated I was.

“They will tease me about you and since I’m still sleepy, I’m not in the mood for teasing yet.”

“Um, okay. My friends have gone, too. Would you like to come home with me? And no, I don’t mean it that way, I just wanted to give you a lift home.” I said standing to get our luggage. “How are you feeling by the way?”

When I look back at her it seemed like she was recovering from a blush. “I’m okay physically, and yes, If you’d like to, I’d accept your offer of a lift home. I trust you.”

To hear those words from her... “Okay. Let’s go, I have your bag.”

We set off the empty bus, and walked towards my car before I glimpsed the outline of the short building that housed the music room. I suddenly had an idea.

“Jane, are you in a hurry to go home?”

“Why, you want to go somewhere?”

“Actually, yes. Come.” I smiled at her enthusiasm at the unknown. We shortly reached the music room and it was lit. She was smiling and had a hint of wonder in her eyes.

“Why are we here?”

I sat on the piano bench and motioned for her to sit beside me. “This is my second favourite spot in school,“ I said as I started the notes to a sweet, calming song that we both knew. “You already saw me in my first one, remember? I come here to think, to help me express myself. You see, I may have friends and belong in a large, loud group. But sometimes, I need time for myself, to figure things out.”

“I find myself needing that alone time, too, you know. I just don’t do that with a piano. I sulk in my room, looking out the window, at the moon – sitting, waiting, wishing..” She said quietly.

I continued to play and played another song after that while we kept quiet, feeling the calmness of the music and the empty room. But it was not empty for me, because I sat beside the girl who makes me whole. I did not want it to end, but streaks of dusk were starting to filter through the room’s windows and I decided we should head home.

“Jane, shall we go?”

“Okay. Thank you, for playing for me, for letting me get to know you better.” She said bashfully. At that, I was about to ignore the small nudge that told me to go, but I knew she had to be home.

We walked back to the car in silence. As I opened the passenger door for her, she joked, “Jupiter, opening a car door for a girl, well you should play the piano more often if it makes you sweeter.”

“Am I not always sweet, Jane?” I retorted before going around and getting into the car myself. “Now, because I played for you, you play for me. Select a song, please.”

She flicked through the songs on my iPod while I started the care. It was Shout About It by The Vamps. Hmm, sweet one. Before I could ask, she spoke, “I love this song. It reminds me of someone.”

“May I ask who?” I started to fear it was another guy.

“You.”

That one word.. I almost stopped the car. But I kept myself calm and asked her, “Why?”

“It was the song I first heard when I got home after you returned my locket.” She said.

“Oh,” I said, faking disappointment. “I thought because I was as handsome as the lead vocalist of the band.”

“Hahaha! You are a joker Mr. Johnson!”

“Yeah, I know I’m not handsome.”

“Does it matter? You are handsome for someone out there.”

“Like who?”

“Um, your mom? All the girls in school that admire you?”

“There’s no such thing, Jane. Do you want to grab a bite?”

“It’s getting late, I think I’d go home. But I’d probably not decline if we were at a different time.” Is she hinting at a date?!

“I’ll take you out sometime.” I whispered.

“What am I? A fastfood order? ‘Hey, miss, I want burgers, take-out’” She said, incredulous.

“Ha ha, Jane. Funny. Really. I’m rolling on the floor laughing.” I said, trying to hide my laughter.

“Don’t pretend, Jupiter, laugh it out c’mon.” And we both burst out laughing. I almost missed the turn to our corner.

“Well, here we are.” Jane announced.

“Um, I should open your door.”

“And I should get out.”

We moved at the same time. I went with her to her door and I can feel like there was a tension building between the both of us.

“I should go in,”

“Yeah, you should.” And we stared at each other for what seemed like minutes before I couldn’t stop myself. I raised my hand to her cheeks and slowly caressed it, I felt her blush before I saw it.

“Goodnight, Jane.”

“Goodnight, Jupiter. See you tomorrow.” She said, her blush receding.

I turned and walked away, giving her a small wave before entering my own home. I was feeling light with joy. She always makes my day. I couldn’t be any happier. I entered the house and saw mom busy in the kitchen, my sister studying. I kissed them hello then proceeded to my room where I flew like superman onto my bed. I just now felt now exhausted I am even though I slept on the bus. I stood up to close my open window. I was about to flop down to bed again when I noticed it.

A big, bold, neat S on my wall.

What the hell?

How did it get there?

Shit, one answer. Him!